NOTICE TO ALL READERS: READ THE DESCRIPTIVE NOTE, PLEASE. IT IS IMPORTANT!
Note: My Fanfic focuses on the Saniwa and the events before the Touken Ranbu animes. Moreover, I was inspired by them a lot, and many references will thus be made to Katsugeki and Hanamaru. So, if you haven't watched them, you might not understand. Let's just say my fiction is a prequel that explains the reasons for the war with the Historical Revisionists, and the deployment of the Saniwa to protect History. It happens at the Government of the Time, which I also decided to call Citadel of Time (or castle), and which includes the Government/Imperial Palace within.
This fiction is truly a way to understand how we got there today (war, time travel, Touken Danshi... etc.)
The story focusing on the Saniwa, I was inspired by the one of Katsugeki. A young boy, sorry for those who have always seen a girl instead, but clearly it never crossed my mind that they could be of that gender: the fact that the Saniwa is often portrayed as a woman is due to the impressive number of WOMEN players registered on the game. Mine is never named, however. Why? Because I couldn't find him a super cool name that would stick with his adorable and angelic face of bishonen! XD
I would be delighted to explain some of the Japanese terms I use at the end of the chapter. If, however, there is something I haven't talked about and you don't understand, tell me about it in the comments.
Legend: Italics - Thoughts
Middle Text - Dreams/Visions
"Italics" - Flashbacks
If you still have other questions of all kinds, ask them in the comments! Happy reading! :)
Disclaimers: Touken Ranbu is the property of DMM and Nitroplus. Hanamaru and Katsugeki, the one of Doga Kobo and Ufotable respectively. Nothing belongs to me except the other Saniwas and members of the Time Government named in the fiction.
The glow around him evaporated when his feet reached the cold stone ground. He opened his eyes slowly, still slightly dizzy by the trip he had just made, and raised his head to observe the outlines of the sanctuary as if to make sure he was back in the right place. Finally reassured, he sighed wearily. He still hadn't found it. Perhaps was it lost forever. Something caught his attention then and he smiled softly at the sight of the creature shaking himself at his feet.
"Thank you for your help, Konnosuke. "
"It's nothing. I'm sorry we did not find anything this time again, Saniwa-sama... "
"We'll be able to, one day, don't worry. "
The kitsune limply dropped his ears on his head, a terribly sad look passing over his eyes. Chuckling discreetly, the Sage squatted down and stretched out his arms to the latter who leapt into them without waiting. Petting his head behind his ear to comfort him, he began to leave the premises. Deserting the darkness of the cave, he closed his eyes as he approached the bright sunlight and paused for a minute near the staircase to savour its warmth.
To be back in the present was not to displease him. Although used to it, he did not appreciate finding himself in the middle of battles and bloody wars. Especially the one he had just left. The Battle of Sekigahara was one of the most dreadful he has ever witnessed. Not as a soldier in one of the two opposing armies, but as a watcher. A simple Saniwa came to gather information on the past or find swords that possessed a spirit and willpower of their own. Future Touken Danshi... Despite the fact that this time, his recent escapade had nothing to do with either of these two missions.
"Saniwa-sama, Tsuji Asahi is here. "
"Hmm? "
Opening his eyes again, he let his gaze slide down the steps where, in a resplendent blue and black hakama, a young man with shoulder-length midnight blue hair awaited him. A broad smile suddenly split his lips and he started to descend quickly the long staircase that separated them, releasing once there the little fox who sat calmly at the boy's feet without even offering the other person a look.
Unlike him, who by his small stature strongly resembled a child of barely fourteen, Asahi had all that was needed to be considered an adult, his blatant immaturity aside. Noticing the elusive gaze of the animal, the young man narrowed his silver-grey eyes slightly and snarled:
"It's disrespectful not to greet me, Konnosuke! "
"I do not greet thieves! " replied the creature, haughtily raising his muzzle.
"Huh? "
"What's this story, again? " the Sage calmly asked, seeming accustomed to such bickers between the two.
"Asahi-sama broke into the kitsune quarters to steal our delicious fried tofu! "
"What?! " his friend exclaimed, bewildered.
"Asahi! " sermonised the Saniwa, crouching down to pass his hand through the kitsune's red fur.
"Do not rebuke me! I haven't done anything! "
"And a liar on top of that! " Konnosuke hissed, turning to point an accusing paw at the so-called culprit.
"You, wicked little dog! Calling me a liar, a Saniwa! "
Rushing forward to teach the little fox a lesson, Tsuji was abruptly stopped in his tracks by a hand firmly gripping the collar of his garment, almost strangling him in the process whilst the animal was hastily taking refuge between the legs of his saviour.
"That's enough, both of you. " the cherry-haired boy declared, pursing his lips with tiredness. "I don't want to hear any more stories of this sort. I don't care who's lying and who's saying the truth. Is that clear? "
That said, he released his grip on the young man, and as the latter was catching his breath, he motioned for the creature to run away as quickly as possible. Then, not waiting any longer, he crossed the stone path leading to the castle of the Government of Time, an annoyed Asahi on his heels.
"So, am I going to have to beg you to find out where you've been? " the silver-eyed man questioned, suspicious.
"Somewhere during the Sengoku period. " the Sage replied half-heartedly.
"How oddly mysterious. Were you looking for something specific? " Asahi continued to ask, more and more insistent.
"Not really. Are you done with the interview?! " the Saniwa sighed whilst rolling his eyes, seemingly exasperated. But, turning to face his companion, he then noted his sombre air and relaxed slightly. "Why do you seem so upset now? "
Stopped in the middle of the path, the two friends were looking at each other in a disturbing silence, as if time had slowed down around them. Several seconds passed before Tsuji finally let out a huff, advancing toward the boy to reach his right cheek softly, caressing distractedly whilst answering:
"Because you're awfully reckless, that's why. "
Freeing himself from his affectionate gesture with a furious slap of the hand, the Sage turned angrily back towards the castle and, violently opening the wide wooden front doors, he rushed into the hallway as his voice was echoing loudly against the white walls.
"Awfully reckless?! Do you realise what you're saying?! Between you and I, Asahi, tell me again who's the most reckless!? Don't you dare lecture me as if I were a child! "
"It wasn't my attention! Damn it, wait! "
Running after the Saniwa, the young man grabbed the sleeve of his kimono and yanked on it to force him to turn around. The features distorted by annoyance he faced made him wince with regret and, glancing at his surroundings for prying ears, he found himself admiring the perfectly balanced shape of a replica of Jiganemaru, one of the swords of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom dating from the fifteenth century.
The large corridor in which they stood was filled on either side of the walls with replicas of famous Tantou, Uchigatana, Naginata and other Katana of all kinds, carefully enclosed in glass cases. And it was almost reluctantly that he looked away, refocusing on the person who waited patiently in front of him.
"Have we not known each other since childhood? You who until then had never hidden anything from me, I find you keeping secrets from me. You may be the wiser of the two of us, but the fact remains that you always take reckless risks. I've always looked out for you. It's normal for me to worry, don't you think? "
The boy inhaled deeply at these words, finally calming slowly. Remembering all the memories he shared with his friend, he raised his head and offered him a contrite smile, now realising he might have overreacted.
"I'm sorry. I know that you're only trying to protect me but… I am responsible enough to know what I am doing. I don't need some shadow constantly watching over my shoulder. "
"Half the power this place claims to have comes only from your powers. " taunted Tsuji scornfully. "I do not doubt that you can take care of yourself. I'm just keeping an eye on you.
"It isn't... I'm not... "
Suddenly blushing, the Sage turned sharply and, embarrassed, resumed walking, leaving Asahi behind. Laughing shamelessly at this reaction, the latter caught up with his companion and continued to tease him throughout the way whilst keeping a safe distance to avoid any retaliation on his part.
Xxxxxxxxxx
The refectory was gradually filling up: Saniwa, members of the council, or simple administrators of the Government of Time, all gathered in the same room for lunchtime. And although within the mass it was almost impossible to tell them apart, it was evident that groups were nevertheless forming here and there. No one was where they did not belong. Albeit on the same side in this war and fighting the same enemy, they remained estranged from each other, doomed to never get on.
The cherry-haired boy let his gaze roam the room with some interest, capturing every little detail that others probably wouldn't pay attention to. If none liked each other, it was indeed because everyone refused to understand the other. Saniwas on the one hand, hating the administrators because they didn't know what it was like to be a human being with divine powers, and the administrators, on the other hand, hating Saniwas because they supposedly only did whatever they wanted. As for the council, composed of veteran-Saniwas, senior-administrators, and members of the imperial palace, it was miraculous that they all managed to agree on the imposition of the rules and the enforcement of the laws.
"Tell me you found it! "
He jumped, dropping his chopsticks back into his bowl of udon. Looking up, his mood softened at the sight of the young woman with amethyst hair who had abruptly appeared before him. She was watching him with pleading hawthorn eyes, her chest heaving rapidly to the rhythm of her panting breath under her too-tight raspberry-pink kimono. Waiting for an answer, she had her hands flattened on either side of her lunch tray resting on the table.
"Igarashi Katsumi, why am I not surprised?"
Both of their heads slowly turned to the owner of the voice that had just spoken, each staring at the person in their own way; amazed for him, and bothered for her. But Asahi just shrugged at the gesture and resumed his meal, not the least bit disturbed. Katsumi gritted her teeth in rage at this and sat down at the table without saying a word.
"You really have some nerve, interrupting people during their lunch and imposing yourself on them. " added, however, the young man when he saw her doing so, definitely annoyed.
"Nobody's talking to you, moron! " argued Igarashi whilst separating her chopsticks with a quick movement to plant them unceremoniously in her rice.
"Thank you for confirming what I already knew. Your stupid Buddhist temple in Hōryū-Ji never taught you any manners! "
"Asahi! " cried out the Sage with a frown before running a hand through his hair as he held a sigh. At this point, no one could stand his insufferable friend except himself.
"How dare you, you little piece of…! "
Closing her eyes forcefully, the hawthorn-eyed woman tried in vain to remove all traces of anger from her face. Then, taking a deep breath, she finally reopened them and focused back on the Saniwa who was smiling at her compassionately and with some sort of apologetic look.
"Anyway... Have you found anything yet? "
Biting his lower lip, the latter only shook his head from side to side in the negative and joined his hands, giving her time to recover from the bad news as her face covered itself with a veil of disappointment before she acquiesced resignedly and smiled gently at him.
"I see. Thank you for trying anyway. I owe you one. "
"Katsumi-san... " the boy whispered, saddened. "That doesn't mean I'm giving up yet. I still have one or two ideas about where to look. "
"Really?! " expressed Katsumi, now beaming with joy. "I don't know how to thank you enough! "
Smiling once again, this time satisfactorily, the Sage nodded and resumed his meal without worrying any further. Observing their exchange with minor irritation, the silver-eyed man pushed from the tips of his fingers his tray away and leaned casually against his seat with a groan.
"What's wrong? "
"So it was for her. All these secret trips in the past. "
"How does it concern you, I wonder. "
"It concerns me when you believe that others are at your service and that they must pander to your every whim! "
"I don't allow you, you little...! "
But Igarashi never had the chance to finish her sentence, a hand suddenly coming to rest on her shoulder with the intention to soothe her. Getting up suddenly at this touch, as if having been touched by something icy, the young woman turned in surprise and banged against the table whilst taking a step back when she recognised the person now standing before her. Resembling a child no older than ten, the little girl was looking at her with her expressionless anthracite gaze, her long curly white hair blending in with her kimono of the same colour whose the sleeves, which revealed her bare shoulders down to her elbows, were falling lightly on her hands resting calmly on her blood-red obi.
"Ō-Ōhara Kagura-sama? "
"Oï, everyone can hear you from the other end of the room! "
"S-Shiraishi Seimei-sama too? "
The Saniwa tilted his head at the arrival of the two individuals, greeting them quickly before inviting them to sit down as well. Kagura didn't need to be asked twice and seated down next to the young woman with an indifference that could almost disturb anyone who was not unaccustomed to her calm and reserved character. Her companion, a tall man with jet-black hair and amaranthine eyes then placed a tray in front of her before settling beside the boy, thus separating the latter from Asahi, and began without delay to eat whilst he questioned in a hoarse tone:
"What's the matter, you dolts? "
"Nothing serious. Just some stuck-up madam thinking she's entitled to everything. " Tsuji hissed with a smirk, his eyes purposely locked on that of Katsumi.
"You! " retorted the latter as she punched the table, only softening when she caught sight of the disapproving gaze of the white-haired girl beside her.
"Will you stop for a second whilst I explain? " the cherry-haired boy finally intervened as he exchanged a silent consent with the man wearing a wide-open yellow haori revealing his bare chest.
"And don't you dare interrupt him. " the latter added threateningly before taking a sip of his soup.
Once certain that the entire group was ready to listen to him peacefully, the Sage dropped his spoon in the broth of his udon and started to recount the reason for his recent travels through the past under the urgent request of the hawthorn-eyed woman.
"Katsumi-san is looking for particular regalia. A sword lost during the Sengoku period during one of the wars that took place at that time. Since I am more than informed about this era, I naturally offered her my help. "
"And as long as you're the one who takes all the risks, who cares?! "
"For pity's sake, Asahi... "
"If you keep overprotecting him that way, you might as well end up losing him. "
Like a whisper, Ōhara's voice echoed gently, without anyone having expected her to speak and leaving everyone to wonder what she meant by that. But far from caring, the little girl simply closed her eyes and savoured her curry. It was then that a tinkling laugh escaped the boy's lips as he resumed his meal as well, the white-haired girl's enigmatic responses no longer surprising him anymore.
If both Asahi and Katsumi were hot-blooded characters, and Seimei was hiding unparalleled compassion and benevolence behind his taciturn and blunt side, he and Kagura were alike on many points. Both knew how to hold their tongues when necessary and preferred to observe the world evolving from afar rather than taking part in it. There was however one clear difference between them, he could easily open up to others when she was unable to do so.
"I told it to you earlier, no? I know what I'm doing. "
"You don't realise that I can't let you die. "
"No one's going to die, Asahi. "
"Don't be so sure of that… "
Xxxxxxxxxx
He let himself fall back on his futon, completely exhausted.
Between his quarrels with Asahi and the temporal sorties for Katsumi that drained him of his spiritual energy, he simply could not keep up anymore. Yet, he didn't have much time left. The History Retrograding Force was starting slowly but surely to go back in the past to try to change history, and he will soon have to leave for his citadel like many other Saniwas, in order to create and manage his Touken Danshi armada tasked to protect the temporal flow.
He felt his eyes close under fatigue when the sound of a sliding-door opening forced him to get up hastily. Heading to the main room adjacent to his bedroom, he gasped in amazement at the sight of the person turning their backs to him.
"Heika... "
Responding to the call of his title, the intruder decided to face the cherry-haired boy as a beaming smile was blooming on his pink lips. Dressed in a large turquoise and gold imperial kimono, he quickly approached the Sage to seal their hands together.
"I had so much trouble leaving the Council, I thought I would never be able to see you before the night. " he finally said in a soft yet firm voice befitting any sovereign.
Smiling back at him, the Saniwa nodded sympathetically and gazed down toward the strange rectangular box that was resting on the wooden coffee table. The Emperor turned at this gesture and guided him to the floor to sit before it.
"I wanted to repay my debt before you left. It is hardly enough compared to all I owe you, but I do hope you will be satisfied with it. "
"It wasn't necessary, Your Greatness. " the Sage replied as his golden eyes were plunging into the blue-sky ones of his guest.
The young king giving him his consent, he hastened to undo the fasteners, opening the box impatiently before abruptly letting go of the lid when he recognised its contents, and turning suddenly towards the sovereign as if to receive confirmation that what he was seeing was not just a copy.
"This broken sword could indeed put off any warrior, but you have told me so many times about its prowess, I know it is precious to you. I pray that it will be as loyal to you as you are to it. "
Running his fingers over the thin blade, the Saniwa let out a nervous laugh. So unique, so splendid. Hard to handle but so strong. A katana as there were few. He was feeling truly lucky to finally own it. He, who had dreamed of wielding it for so long…
"Kashuu Kiyomitsu… the famous Uchigatana of Okita Souji from the Shinsengumi. Heika, where did you find it? " he asked with real interest, still captivated by the sword's features.
The Emperor lowered his head modestly and waved the question aside. The details of its acquisition were of little importance. Beyond the window of the room, the building of the Government of Time was facing him and he suppressed a sigh as he thought about the fact that he would soon have to return to take care of the affair of state. So, smiling softly, he declared:
"We are like the moon, owning a hidden side that no one can see… However, you are the one who knew how to see through my lies and secrets, and without judgment accepted and supported me with utter disinterest. I will eternally be grateful to you. "
"There is nothing that you do not know about me, the sacrifices that I made and my regrets… I am the last who would have the right to judge you. " murmured the cherry-haired boy with a sad smile as he was recalling his own past.
Raising a hand, the young king placed it against the eye patch covering the upper left part of his face and slowly nodded, letting it slide along the scar running over the edge of the leather fabric, a few cobalt-blue strands wrapping themselves between his fingers with topaz-painted nails.
"I guess I'm going to have to use my influence quite a lot with you. " he sniggered gently both to lighten the mood and to change the topic of discussion.
"What do you mean? " enquired the Sage with a puzzled look.
"Knowing your tendency to deviate from established rules... I'm afraid you will exasperate more than one council member. "
"I certainly do not have to apologise for refusing to send back into nothingness the Touken Danshi who will have the misfortune to involve the Kebiishi or who would like to change history and therefore betray their current master. "
"You are one of a kind, I must say. " the sovereign confessed, amused.
"No. " the Sage pronounced before shaking his head and lifting the broken Uchigatana to his chest like a child one would like to shield from any harm. "Former objects learning human emotions, confused by the world surrounding them and forced to accept a new master whilst still mourning their previous one… how could we blame them for being tempted to change the course of history? If even mankind can make mistakes and be forgiven, why not tsukumogami as well? "
"Fair enough. " the young king agreed as he stood up to head toward the entrance door. "However even I cannot change so easily the rules. I'm begging you to minimise your excesses. "
"Of course, Your Greatness. " chuckled the Saniwa as he accompanied him and bid him farewell.
Then, returning his attention to the damaged blade, he smiled softly before sitting back in front of it and lifting it once again. Surely, he would be pointed out derisively when they would learn who would be the first Toudan of his citadel but he couldn't care less. He knew what Kashuu Kiyomitsu was capable of. Never will he doubt him.
"Let's get along with each other from now on, Kashuu-san! " he said, the Uchigatana beginning to blaze with a bright white light in his hands.
Endnote:
Battle of Sekigahara: took place from October 20 to 21, 1600, bringing into conflict the camp of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the supporters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Tokugawa won the battle and Ieyasu became the first Shogun of the long Tokugawa dynasty.
Engawa: is a floor, usually made of wood, hanging and standing outside the window or doors of rooms in traditional Japanese houses.
Sengoku: name of one of the many Japanese eras.
Hôryû-ji: is a Buddhist temple located in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture.
Obi; Hakama: Japanese belt holding the kimono; Traditional clothing for men, but also worn by women nowadays. Normally designating only the pants, today the word is used for the entire outfit.
Regalia: Word to designate royal treasures, like the three sacred treasures of the imperial family.
Heika [陛下]: Your Majesty - from Tennō Heika [天皇 陛下]: Divine Emperor; His Majesty the Emperor
Tsukumogami: ("99-year-old spirit") is a type of spirit present in Japanese folklore. They're Obake (spirits with a soul). The Tsukumogami come from objects or artefacts that celebrated their 100th birthday and came to life. Here it's the Touken Danshi.
Toudan: is the abbreviation of Touken Danshi in the game (touken ranbu/Wikia/Glossary).